New owner, menu at Park Ave. spot

Dino Singas has owned Park Grill & Spirits, 257 Park Ave., Worcester, since March 2012. The restaurant is the former Biagio’s Grille.

“My initial goal from day one was to get a feel for the place, work out the kinks and make it successful again,” said Singas.

It appears he’s right on track.

If you’re not familiar with the new owner, or the business, here’s the dish:

The restaurant with comfortable bar and dining areas got a needed facelift, including a new glass entryway.

It’s interesting to note that Park Grill didn’t close during renovations.

“All the work and cleanup was done during early morning hours,” said Singas.

Described as “An American Grill with Mediterranean Flair” on its website, www.parkgrillworc.com, the restaurant has a new menu with a good selection of entrées, appetizers, wraps, subs, sandwiches, salads, signature burgers and pizza and calzones. Daily specials are featured.

A few diners’ favorites from the old Biagio’s, such as Eggplant Rolatini, are available.

Singas put together the new menu with the help of kitchen staff and a culinary consultant, working out recipes as they went along. Diners’ comments about the former restaurant were taken into consideration during the recipe development stages.

Singas, who was born in Greece, grew up in the Elm Park area of Worcester. He previously worked in real estate development in Florida.

Singas operates Park Grill & Spirits with his wife, Eileen I. Ortiz, a former teacher. Singas’ parents, Arthur and Niki Singas, owned and operated New England Pizza in Oxford for 21 years. Dino Singas is a former partner in Northboro House of Pizza, owned and operated by his brother, Chris Singas.

Park Grill & Spirits is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. during the week; 11 p.m., weekends.

The downstairs dining room, located in a separate area from the bar, accommodates 54. Food is served in the bar/lounge area, which seats 46. An outdoor patio is seasonal.

The restaurant’s upstairs function room with full bar seats 60. Private parties and weekly comedy shows are held in the room.

Visit Park Grill’s website or call (508) 756-7995 for more information about the comedy show schedule, the Open Mic held 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays, and weekend live entertainment.

A New Year’s Eve comedy event is planned at Park Grill & Spirits. Festivities, including a buffet, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Contact the restaurant for more information about cost and reservations.

If you missed the “ribbon cutting and holiday open house” held this week at the restaurant, there’s still time to enjoy the holiday spirit there.

I’m sure the owner would like to hear what you think about changes to the restaurant.

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Fruitlands Museum in Harvard announced its WinterFest Weekends will take place Jan. 12-Feb. 24. For more details, visit www.fruitlands.org.

The museum’s store will be open from noon to 5 p.m. from Dec. 22-23. If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate, send email to alovezzola@fruitlands.org. The museum will mail the certificate to your recipient.

Fruitlands Museum will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24-Jan. 11.

Test Kitchen Tip: After cooling, sprinkle the cookies with confectioners sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate. To make melted chocolate, in a small microwaveable bowl, melt 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening 45 to 60 seconds in the microwave, or until melted and smooth when stirred together.

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Pepper’s Fine Catering in Northboro recently held a “Delectable Date Contest” on its Facebook page in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary.

Owners John and Susan Lawrence asked people to share the story of how they met their significant other or spouse. The winner, selected at random, would receive a romantic dinner for two created and delivered by Pepper’s.

Eva Kolezi-Shqina of Worcester won the contest.

This is her story as posted by John Lawrence on his chef’s blog ( www.pepperscatering.com/blog):

“I met my husband when I was only 14 years old. He came to our house to pick up my brother to go to a soccer game. I saw him and I froze. My grandma asked me, ‘Sweetie, what’s wrong?’ And I told her, ‘Nana, he is the one whom I’m going to marry!’ She started laughing and told me that I was very young and I would meet plenty of people on my journey. Years passed and I emigrated in Greece with my family. After a year there, I saw him again. He had also emigrated in Greece, in the city and the neighborhood where I was living. We never separated after that. We have been married for 18 years, have thee wonderful children and building our life here, in Worcester, MA.”

Eva Kolezi-Shquina is married to Bersan Shquina. She said she was “very surprised” when she was notified she won the contest, and the couple are looking forward to the “romantic dinner for two.”

Note: Susan Lawrence opened her food business Nov. 8, 1987. Four months later, John Lawrence entered the scene, seeking a food service opportunity. In his words, “Something magical began to unfold, but the magic wasn’t just in the kitchen.” The couple fell in love “over food,” married and have built their lives and a successful business around it, he said.

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A reminder that the Skyline Bistro at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester will be closed for school vacation beginning Dec. 20, reopening Jan. 8.

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Congrats to the culinary team at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton for taking home the Judges Award and the People’s Choice Award at the annual Gingerbread Castle Competition held Dec. 15 at Higgins Armory in Worcester. The school entered in the Amateur Division.

Sodexo Catering at Assumption College received the Judges Award in the Professional Division.

I was a judge with John Lawrence, executive chef/owner of Pepper’s Fine Catering in Northboro, and Janet Amorello, vice president of marketing at UniBank.

Congrats to all the participants. The gingerbread castles were fantastic.

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Merry Christmas!

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If you have a tidbit for this column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com